NASA Could Soon Bring 4K UHD Footage of Space Direct to Your TV With New Cable and Satellite Channel

There have been a number of milestones when it comes to bringing the realm of space to the wider public, and while none could claim to be more significant than the televised updates of the moon landing back in the 60's, each new development is equally important for engaging the masses in scientific discovery. With the proliferation of internet connectivity, we have been somewhat spoiled with the level of access we can gain to the operations of space agencies such as the ESA and NASA.

For some time now, NASA TV has given the public an in-depth look at the behind the scenes operations of the space agency, from live mission launches to interviews with astronauts on the international space station. But now NASA is planning a serious upgrade to the service that could see it reach more people than ever before.

In June, NASA started uploading 4K Ultra High-Definition footage from the International Space Station to their Reel NASA Youtube channel, delivering the crispest images of space the public had ever seen. Now, thanks to a new partnership with Harmonic, live UHD streams of space could be beamed direct to your TV. NASA and Harmonic have announced the launch of NASA TV UHD, a new channel dedicated the relay of 4K ultra high definition footage from around NASA's space-faring operations.

As NASA reaches new heights and reveals the unknown, the NASA TV UHD channel can bring that journey to life in every home. And as organizations at the forefront of innovation, together we are leading the adoption of this exciting technology," said Peter Alexander of Harmonic. "As the leader in UHD development, Harmonic provides a complete solution for Ultra HD video production and delivery, enabling content and service providers to offer better video quality at a low total cost of ownership."

NASA TV UHD will be available to stream online, but Harmonic is currently in talks with Pay TV providers to create a dedicated channel for the footage on Satellite and Cable. The video being streamed will come predominantly from the International Space Station's new UHD cameras, but will also include archival footage from NASA's illustrious history as well as footage from an array of other NASA missions. In total, 8 new series of content will be created for the new channel, including 'Earth View' featuring HD shots of Earth from Space, 'NASA Classics', and 'Deep Space' which will bring HD imagery from NASA's various telescope systems.

Be warned, though. If you're hoping to stream these UHD images at home, you're going to need a hefty 13 MBps connection to make it possible.